Humanitarian Relief Continues to Help Ukrainians in Crisis

5/24/2022

"Thank you for being a big part of this work!”
Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko

100% of Your Donations Continue to Support Ukrainians in Need

SELCU Pastors Serving Ukrainians

Working through LCC staff member for Ukraine relief Rev. Larry Myers, below is an update on the work of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) pastors, thanking LCC donors for your financial support and prayers.

Sergey Bevz (SELCU pastor)

“We continue to serve the refugees in our city. We keep the rhythm. Sixty to eighty family sets per day. The number of people is only getting bigger. We have now closed pre-registration for assistance for a while. We've got a list for a few weeks ahead. We don't want to get very far. Many people come without registering and calling. Their situation is such that they are ready to spend half a day just to find out why they cannot get through to us and sign up for a queue for help.

In the course of the last weeks, we have been adhering to the worked-out scheme of service. We pre-register and know in advance how many people we will have per day, how many family members they have, if they have children, and what their basic needs are. We accept several groups per day. First, we share the good news with the group and encourage them to hope in the Lord. We pray for them. And then we give a blessing. This plan worked well.

Now we also see that some refugees have started attending Sunday services. Now we have seven refugees with whom we have started the confirmation class.

The last week in our city is quite calm. Thanks be to God. But serious problems with fuel began. Filling up the car is almost impossible. Many gas stations do not work because they do not have fuel. You have to stand in line for several hours to buy 10-15 liters of fuel. We assumed that there would be problems with fuel and made a small reserve in advance. Now we are using it. The authorities promise to arrange deliveries within 10-15 days. But the price of fuel will rise even more.

We are all waiting for good news from the front. Our troops are beginning to push the enemy back in some directions. May mercy and peace be multiplied to you!”

Oleksiy Navrotskyy (SELCU pastor)

“I keep living my weekly life between Odessa and Mykolaiv. For most of the week, I stay at Odessa Theological Seminary, purchasing food and medicine, and packing help bags. In addition to all difficulties, we have a fuel deficit in Ukraine. Russians have destroyed fuel factories and storage... prices for fuel have jumped up. Diesel and gasoline disappeared. Now, it takes us a couple of hours to find the fuel in Odessa, to spend time in lines, and to purchase 10 or 15 or 20 liters of fuel. This morning I woke up and went to hunt for fuel. It was successful hunting. I drove about 30 km but have bought 30 liters of diesel. Praise be to God.

Last week we packed 100 food bags for Nikolaev, but more than 150 people came to Nikolaev Lutheran church for food. People fought for bags; so, we made a list of those who didn't get the good bag last Saturday and promised to satisfy them next Saturday. We put Christian literature and calendars in each bag. Many of those people have lost jobs and depend on food provided by municipalities, charity organizations, and churches.

Also, my church elders Gennady and Vladimir deliver and distribute drinking water to people who live near our church. Every second day a long line of people with bottles and buckets wait for water near church gates. Such humanitarian work of the church brings a great benefit to the Gospel. Last Sunday I had only eight church members at church (many of our church members were evacuated to Poland and Germany), but I had twenty-one new visitors at church! They listen to the sermon very carefully and learned how to sing our hymns. They are funny and clumsy like newborn children; remember them in your prayers.

Last Friday, SELCU Bishop Alexander Yurchenko had surgery. After recovery, chemotherapy will be prescribed. I provided some financial assistance from Lutheran Church Charities donors for the bishop's treatment since we have no insurance medicine here in Ukraine yet.”

Oleg Schewtschenko (SELCU pastor)

“I have received the first shipment of the groceries from Romania about 160 kg of rice, lots of spaghetti, and some canned meat. I think and am sure some more will come soon. Thank you for being part of it.

Rev. Valera Verba was in Odessa and will be driving back to Dnipro. We have already filled up his minivan with some stuff; tomorrow we will get sixty or so grocery bags to Pastor Timerkan (it is on the way to Dnipro). We will divide it among some of our congregation and this will be given to the people.

I am sorry that I am unable to get to you all the tears and smiles for the people who are getting this needed help right now. I think right now we are not only supporting the people of Ukraine; we are spreading the seeds of the word of Christ among the people. We are showing the people who leave near our congregations who God is, that He cares for the people, that His church is not a building but church is loving and caring! Thank you for being a big part of this work!

Another special thanks for Rev. Larry Meyers for visiting our wives and children in Germany! They really enjoyed the visit and were surprised and grateful for the unexpected gift they brought along!

SELCU Bishop Alexander Yurchenko is recovering from cancer surgery and is in much pain but he is already caring for the people at the hospital.

I am continuing to use the financial donations you sent to meet the following needs:

Vehicles: lots of fuel, oil and filter change, small repairs. I drove already over 20,000km during this difficult time and paid for the fuel of other drivers who helped.
Medical support: children and adults.
Refugees: those who are leaving Ukraine and have no money for transportation, food, or other needed supplies.
People who left their homes or apartments: housing was destroyed (3 families).
People to move: traveling to the western part of Ukraine far away from the frontline.
Groceries and hygiene supplies.
Transportation: cost for people to take train or bus or cost for travel aid.

May the Lord be with you!

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Thank You for your support in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those suffering!